Alerts

20 Mar 2026 The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has introduced significant volatility into global energy markets, with Brent crude oil prices rising sharply in recent weeks. These increases are already flowing through to international diesel prices and global fertiliser markets, creating mounting cost pressures for South Africa’s grain and oilseed producers. Diesel makes …

The Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, H.E. Mr Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile, has today, 20 March 2026, successfully concluded a bilateral meeting with H.E. President Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan, at the Menlyn Maine Hotel in Pretoria, South Africa. Deputy President Mashatile is a Special Envoy of the …

Speech by Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa at the engagement session with Mayors of Metropolitan Municipalities in South Africa, Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre Programme Director,Honourable Ministers and Deputy Ministers,Esteemed Executive Mayors of Metropolitan Municipalities,Leadership of the South African Local Government Association,Directors-General and Deputy Directors-General, all senior officials across all government departmentsMECs Mamobolo & WilliamsIEC …

The South African municipal landscape is not collapsing in a single moment of crisis. It is eroding in slow motion. Hundreds of local councils operate as if the constitution demanded their existence but not their viability. They table unfunded budgets, default on debt, preside over the decay of water and electricity networks and survive largely …

Staff Writer  ·20 Mar 2026 The latest data from the Central Energy Fund (CEF) shows that petrol prices are now building for the single biggest jump in South Africa’s history, more than doubling the previous record. Until now, the biggest petrol price hike over a single month in South Africa was in July 2022, when …

Malcolm Libera  ·20 Mar 2026 Batches of Citro-Soda Regular are being pulled from shelves across South Africa, adding to a growing list of product recalls this year.  The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) confirmed the recall after a potential contamination risk was identified at the Adcock Ingram manufacturing facility in Clayville, Johannesburg. The …

Staff Writer  ·20 Mar 2026 The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) and the Fuels Industry Association of South Africa have urged motorists not to panic-buy amid claims of fuel shortages in the country. The department issued a statement on Friday (20 March), assuring South Africans that, contrary to claims being made on social …

The DA celebrates the outstanding work of the Western Cape Government, that delivers the best quality of life in South Africa, under the leadership of Premier Alan Winde, on his birthday today. The Western Cape Government delivers. And it delivers because it is led by committed, hard-working and trailblazing individuals elected by voters who have …

One name that has raised eyebrows during parliament’s ad hoc committee proceedings is businessman Steve Motsumi. Initially mentioned at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, Motsumi’s name was brought up again on Wednesday by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. The committee is investigating allegations of corruption and political interference in the criminal justice system — …

From 13 – 14 March 2026, Senior representatives from African institutions, the United Nations system, Regional Economic Communities, business, academia, think-tanks and civil society convened in Sandton, Johannesburg, for a High-Level Intra-African Dialogue on “Africa at a Strategic Inflection Point: Agency, Alignment and Resilience in a Fragmenting World.” The Dialogue was convened under the auspices of ACCORD …

Individuals who engage in the illegal sale of petroleum products can face a fine of up to R1,000,000 and up to 10 years’ imprisonment. The price of fuel is expected to skyrocket next month due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, raising concerns about higher transport costs and the knock-on effects on the …

The South African defence industry (SADI) does not have a repository of company information that provides access and links to product solutions that are developed locally for the international market. I was fortunate to be involved in two conference-type engagements in the last two weeks. In both engagements the international entities taking part did not …

  From left, Tsogo Kupa (Director), Dr Mnqobi Ngubane and Rehad Desai (Co-producer). (Co-producer Anita Khanna not pictured).   Hosted at the Gallagher Convention Centre from 13 to 14 March under the unifying theme, “One Story. One Industry. One Future,” the 19th annual edition of the premier national awards (SAFTAs19) recognises outstanding creative works from the past 18 …

Gauteng, the South African province that’s home to Johannesburg and the capital Pretoria, is struggling to grow and its shift from manufacturing and mining to a services hub is deepening inequality. That’s according to the provincial government, which said urgent action is needed to arrest the decline. In a 153-page development plan presented on Thursday, …

Caitlyn Hilliard-Lomas  ·19 Mar 2026 South Africans are being warned to watch out for rising food prices as the Middle East conflict pushes up oil and logistics costs, with consumer advocates cautioning shoppers against opportunistic retailers. The Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group (PMBEJD) also warned retail businesses to be upfront with consumers in stating …

For an outstanding fifth consecutive year, DGB, one of South Africa’s leading independent wine and spirits producers, has been awarded the coveted title of Best Producer South Africa at the Mundus Vini Spring Tasting 2026. Adding to the achievement, the company has also been honoured as Best Producer South Africa Over the Past 25 Years, …

 ·19 Mar 2026 South Africa’s National Treasury signalled it has little room to mitigate against the impact of a looming fuel-price shock stemming from the war in the Middle East. The price of crude has jumped more than 40% to over $100 a barrel since the US and Israel attacked Iran on 28 February, disrupting …

Bakkie buyers looking at premium, high-performance models in South Africa will need to fork out a decent amount for these – often more than R1 million for the most sought-after variants. Luckily for those shopping in the ultra-luxury bakkie segment, there are several options available from a range of brands, including new energy (NEV) offerings. …

Staff Writer  ·19 Mar 2026 While President Cyril Ramaphosa says the pause in promulgating the National Health Insurance (NHI) Act will not affect the scheme’s rollout, the target dates for the first phase have all but collapsed. In addition, the National Department of Health has no clear implementation path and cannot indicate when the scheme …

Veteran playmaker Themba Zwane, and wingers Bongokuhle Hlongwane and Thapelo Maseko, have been recalled to the Bafana Bafana squad for the two home international friendlies against Panama later this month, raising their hopes of going to the 2026 World Cup. Coach Hugo Broos has made several changes, some enforced by injury, after admitting he was …

Staff Writer  ·19 Mar 2026 President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed that a new Basic Income Support (BIS) grant—an overhaul of the R370 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant—will be a jobseeker’s grant. Delivering the keynote address at the News24 On the Record Summit on Thursday (19 March), the president gave an updated and truncated overview …

What Volkswagen Rookie Cup ReportWhere Killarney International RacewayWhen Saturday 14 March 2026Community South Africa National Luke takes a Rookie Cup double at Killarney season opener The 2026 Volkswagen Rookie Cup kicked off with a thrilling opening round at the Killarney International Raceway’s National Extreme Festival season opener in Cape Town on Saturday, Second year racer …

The Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) was today briefed by the Auditor-General South Africa (AGSA) on the financial audit outcomes of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA). AGSA told the committee that while PRASA has improved its performance and compliance, moving from disclaimers to unqualified audit opinions over the years, there were …

Malcolm Libera  ·18 Mar 2026 Luthando Kolisi jokes that if he finds work at another factory, it will probably end up shutting down. That’s how he lost his last two jobs. Since being let go from the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. factory in Nelson Mandela Bay. The coastal South African city is the heart …